Traffic lane marker



D. E. ROSS ET AL Sept. 19, 1933.

TRAFFIC LANE MARKER Filed Jan. 16. 1933 Fail Patented Sept. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES TRAFFIC LANE MARKER David E. Ross and George Stanley Meikle, La Fayette, Ind., assignors to Purdue Research Foundation, La Fayette, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application January 16, 1933. Serial No. 652,070

9 Claims. (01. 88-1) This invention is a novel improvement in traflic lane. markers to be located in or along a. road or highway to reflect rays of light from the headlights of an approaching automobile in such a manner that the driver can readily distinguish the center of the road, and safely pass vehicles moving in the opposite direction.

The accompanying drawing illustrates our novel traflic lane marker, and we will describe the same with reference thereto. The novel features thereof for which protection is desired are summarized in the appended claims.

In said drawing: Fig. 1- is a top view of the marker.

Fig. 2 is a bottom view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end -view.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4, Fig. 2..

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line 5--5, Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 isa side view.

The marker comprises an elongated approximately oval shaped metal body 1 having a hole 1a near each end for the passage of lagscrews or bolts or other suitable means (not shown) for fastening the marker on a roadway. The upper surface of the body 1 is curved both longi- I tudinally and transversely as shown in Figs.

5 and 4, "the central portion being higher than its ends, the top surface of the marker preferably tapering gradually downwardly from the central portion toward each end and side thereof and being convexed transversely. The body 1 is preferably made of metal which will not be injured by vehicles; tractors, road scrapers, snow plows and the like passing thereover, the tapered or inclined topsurfacesof the markers enabling machines to pass over the marker without injuring it. I

Opposite sides ofthe marker, adjacent each end thereof, are preferably beveled as at 1b, and adjacent each of these inclined surfaces is a recess -1c opening through the side and top of the marker toward the adjacent'end thereof;

the inner end wall 1d of the recess is approximately at right angles to'the longitudinal axis of the marker and in this wall is a bore 1e wherein inserted a reflecting lens R.

The recesses 10 are located'adjacent opposite ends and in opposite sides (of the marker, and at opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the marker (Figs. 1 and 2); each recess leading up to the reflector is formed partially in the top of the marker and partially in one side thereof 5 as shown, and the reflecting lenses R are locatedin the recesses at opposite sides of the marker instead of in the center line thereof. The recesses 10 opening toward opposite ends of the. marker, rays of light from the headlight of an approaching automobile (moving in either direction) will contact with thereflecting lens in the recess opening toward it, and the reflected rays will be clearly visible to the driver.

Adjacent the inner end of each recess 10 the side of the marker is further recessed as shown at lie the recesses 1k practically'forming continuations of the recesses 10. The recesses 10, 1k produce a stream line effect, and provide an easy path for the wash or movement of gravel and fine material past the reflecting lens. The construction protects the lens from being injured by gravel and vehicle wheels, etc., passing over the marker and prevents the collection of dirt and gravel in front of the lens, as the gravel etc., will be movedpast the lens to one side of .flectors are inserted in the recesses, they can be secured therein by a plastic composition (indicated at C in Fig. 5) or other suitable means. If desired a transverse wall "19 may be formed in each chamber. The reflectors B may be of any suitable type to give a very intense reflection of the headlights of an approaching automobile; but the particular construction of such lenses is not a feature of the present application. The-lenses can be securely fastened in the body by any suitable means, preferably by filling the recesses with self-hardening plastic composition after the lenses are inserted in position as indicated in the drawing. The construction is such that the lenses are protected on all sides. f I

The marker is designed tobe placed in the center line of a roadway, or between parallel trafflc lanes in a roadway, and therefore has duplicate oppositely facing light reflecting devices. In the day time the line of markers will 'be use- 105 ful-to divide traflic. At night the markers will successively reflect the headlights of .every apto the surface of a roadway between opposite lanes of traflic; comprising a body having its a reflecting lens at the inner end of each recess.

2. A traific lane marker comprising a body adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway between opposite lanes of traflic and having ends and sides of the body, recesses in the opposite sides and top of the body extending toward opposite ends of the body, said recesses respectively opening toward the adjacent end of the body, and smaller complemental recesses in the body adjacent and connecting withv the inner ends of the first recesses and a reflecting lens at the inner end of each first mentioned recess.

3. A traffic lane marker adapted to be secured to. the surface of a roadway between opposite" lanes of trafiic; comprising a body having its central portion adapted toaproject slightly above the surface of the roadway and inclined downwardly toward each end and side; said body having recesses in'opposite sides extending toward opposite ends of the body, each recess be-. ginning at a point adjacent the center of "the marker and extending toward the adjacent end of the body, smaller complemental recesses in the sides of the body at the inner end of the first mentioned recesses; and a reflecting lens;

secured in the body at the inner end of each first mentioned recess.

4. A traflic lane marker comprising a body adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway and having a portion adapted to project necting with the inner ends of the adjacent.

first mentioned recesses.

' 5. A traflic lane marker comprising a body adapted to be secured to thesurface of a roadway and having a central portion adapted to project slightly above the surface of-the roadway and tapered downwardly toward each end and side, a recess in each side .of the body beat a point adjacent the center of the marker and gradually enlarging toward the adjacent end thereof said recesses extending in opposite directions; a chamber in the underside of the body adjacent the inner end of each recess,

and a reflecting lens at the inner end of each -recess and projecting into the adjacent chamber.

6. A traflic lane marker comprising a body adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway and having a central portion adapted to project slightly above the surface of the roadway and tapered downwardly toward each end and side, a recess-in each side of the body beginning at a point adjacent the center of the marker and gradually enlarging toward the end thereof said recesses -extending in opposite directions, and smaller, complemental recesses in the body adjacent the inner ends of the first mentioned recesses, a chamber in the underside of the body adjacent the inner end of each its top portion tapering downwardly toward the recess, a reflecting lens inserted in the inner end of the first mentioned recess and projecting into the adjacent chamber.

7. A traffic lane marker comprising a body adapted to be secured. to the surface of a roadway' and having a central portion adapted to project slightly above the surface of the roadway and tapered downwardlytoward each end and side, a recess in each side of the body beginning .at' a point adjacent the center of the marker and partly opening through the top and side of the body said recesses extending in opposite directions; a chamber in the underside of the body adjacent the inner ends of the recesses, a wall inthe chamber, and a reflecting lens inserted in the inner end of each recess and projecting into the chamber.

8. A traflic lane marker comprising a body adapted to be secured to the surface of 'a roadway and having a central portion adapted to project slightly above the surface of. the roadway and tapereddownwardly toward each end and side, a recess in'each side of the body partly 119 opening through the top and side of the body said recesses extending in opposite directions; a a chamber in the underside of the body adjacent the inner end of each recess, smaller complemental recesses in the sides of the body at the inner ends of the first mentioned recesses; a reflecting lens inserted in the inner end of each first mentioned recess and projecting into the adjacent chamber; and a wall in each chamber on the underside of the body and ad- 120 jacent each lens.

9. A traffic lane marler comprising a body adapted to be secured to the surface of a roadway and having a central portion adapted to project,s1ightly above. the surface of the roadway and tapered downwardly toward each end and side, a hole adjacent each end for engage ment of a fastening bolt, recesses in opposite sides of the body and extending from opposite ends thereof each recess gradually enlarging 1 toward the end of the body and partly opening through the top and side of the body, chambers in the underside of the body adjacent the inner ends of the said recesses, smaller complemental recesses in the sides of the body at the inner DAVID E. ROSS. GEORGE STANLEY MEIKLE. 

